Books to Show and Booktalk

Busytown Race Day: The Busy World of Richard Scarry by Richard Scarry.

Go Bluey Go! by Will McClean.

Great Race by Kerry Milliron.

Race Car by Meg Parsont.

Travis and Scoop’s Big Race by Sarah Willson.

Nametag

Racing Horses

Provide die cut running horses for nametags.

Refreshments

Haystack Cookies

Ingredients

One 12-ounce package of butterscotch chips

One12-ounce jar of peanut butter

One 9-ounce can of chow mein noodles

Wax paper

Microwave and microwave-safe bowl

Directions

Melt the butterscotch chips in a bowl in the microwave for approximately two minutes, stirring after one minute. When the chips have melted, add the peanut butter. Stir well. Pour in the chow mein noodles. Mix thoroughly. Drop the mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. These will form "haystacks.” Let the haystacks harden for about one hour. Makes 3 dozen cookies. Many alternate recipes are available for this no-bake treat, so if you want to include marshmallows, coconut, or other ingredients search Cooks.com at www.cooks.com for ideas. Be sure to check that no child is allergic to peanuts before serving and substitute other ingredients if necessary. Another version of this cookie recipe is also included in the Elementary Chapter of this manual.

Fingerplays

Piggies at the Races

(Adapted by Vonne Powell.)

This little piggie runs the mile. (Point to thumb and run in place)
This little piggie swims the relay. (Point to index finger, then move arms as if swimming)
This little piggie goes cross country. (Point to middle finger, then run in place in slow motion)
This little piggie rides a bike. (Point to ring finger and mime riding a bike)
And this little piggie sits and cheers, “hurray” all day! (Point to little finger, then shout, “Hurray!”)

Rhymes and Poetry

Hey Diddle, Diddle

(Traditional.)

Hey diddle, diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Jack Be Nimble

(Traditional.)

Jack be nimble,
Jack be quick,
Jack jump over
The candlestick.

Audio Recordings

“Camptown Races” on Best of Children's Favorites: Pooh's Top 40 Tunes by Various Artists.

Games and Activities

Race the Clock

After reading Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins, recreate Rosie’s barnyard and let the children follow her path. Set up the room with a yard stick to represent the rake, a table for the pond, a small chair, to represent the haystack, to step over, another chair or table for the mill, two chairs set apart for the fence, and a table to crawl under for the beehives. Each child will start at the “rake” and walk across the room, around the table, over the chair, past the “mill,” through the two chairs, under the table, and back to the rake. A circular path will work best, and an adult should model the “race” before sending the children through the course.

Guest Speakers

Invite someone from the local high school, either a coach or a student athlete, to show the children how they warm up before a race.

Videos/DVDs/Films

If you have public performance rights, show these videos and DVDs, or segments of them, to the children. Otherwise, display them for home use.